Reptiles anatomy Flashcards
Restraint
Most snakes, especially non-aggressive types, can be picked up in the transport carrier. For aggressive snakes, a towel may be tossed over the entire snake and its head found under the towel. Once the head is located and restrained, it is safe to remove the reptile from the carrier. It is best to gently grasp the snake behind the head with one hand and support the body with the other hand.
Aquatic turtles, also known as chelonians, are considered easy to capture. Most chelonians are easily held by the shell, but there may be some aquatic turtles that display aggression. Restraining chelonians involves controlling the turtle’s head. To gain control of the head, the health-care team member should put a thumb on one side of the cranial neck portion and the index finger (or fingers if a larger tortoise) on the other side of the neck at the base of the skull. If the chelonian withdraws its head, the restrainer’s fingers may become trapped, resulting in injuries to the restrainer. Particular caution should be paid to freshwater snapping turtles as they can inflict deep, painful bites.
Lizards typically can be held with two hands and removed from the transport carrier. However some lizards are aggressive or the species’ natural defenses make it unadvisable for a person to simply pick up the lizard. In this instance, long-sleeved shirts, gloves, and a towel may be necessary. Frightened lizards may try to bite or scratch with their long claws. It is recommended to keep one hand on the neck, immediately behind the base of the skull, to prevent being bitten. Do not try to capture a lizard by the tail. Many species have a natural response to “drop” their tail to escape, and this may happen if they view the restrainer as a predator. This is known as autotomy; a self amputation by the lizard, typically to elude a predator. Restraint of lizards can be achieved with one hand around the neck and pectoral region and the other hand supporting the body near the pelvic region. Only enough pressure to keep the lizard restrained should be used. Too much pressure may damage the lizard’s spine.
Restraint
Most snakes, especially non-aggressive types, can be picked up in the transport carrier. For aggressive snakes, a towel may be tossed over the entire snake and its head found under the towel. Once the head is located and restrained, it is safe to remove the reptile from the carrier. It is best to gently grasp the snake behind the head with one hand and support the body with the other hand.
Aquatic turtles, also known as chelonians, are considered easy to capture. Most chelonians are easily held by the shell, but there may be some aquatic turtles that display aggression. Restraining chelonians involves controlling the turtle’s head. To gain control of the head, the health-care team member should put a thumb on one side of the cranial neck portion and the index finger (or fingers if a larger tortoise) on the other side of the neck at the base of the skull. If the chelonian withdraws its head, the restrainer’s fingers may become trapped, resulting in injuries to the restrainer. Particular caution should be paid to freshwater snapping turtles as they can inflict deep, painful bites.
Lizards typically can be held with two hands and removed from the transport carrier. However some lizards are aggressive or the species’ natural defenses make it unadvisable for a person to simply pick up the lizard. In this instance, long-sleeved shirts, gloves, and a towel may be necessary. Frightened lizards may try to bite or scratch with their long claws. It is recommended to keep one hand on the neck, immediately behind the base of the skull, to prevent being bitten. Do not try to capture a lizard by the tail. Many species have a natural response to “drop” their tail to escape, and this may happen if they view the restrainer as a predator. This is known as autotomy; a self amputation by the lizard, typically to elude a predator. Restraint of lizards can be achieved with one hand around the neck and pectoral region and the other hand supporting the body near the pelvic region. Only enough pressure to keep the lizard restrained should be used. Too much pressure may damage the lizard’s spine.
Nutrition
Again, as with other species, inadequate diet and nutrition can cause a multitude of disease conditions in reptiles. Diets are typically species-specific, so it is important to familiarize oneself with the specific reptile species and educate the owner as to the proper diet needed to provide for a healthy long life. As with all species, clean and fresh water should be available at all times, and the water should be changed at least once a day.
Snakes are carnivores, and they feed on whole prey. Eating the entire prey allows for added nutrients such as calcium. Snakes will defecate the parts of the prey they do not use. Supplementation is typically not necessary when feeding whole prey such as rats, mice, and so on.
The feeding of lizards is dependent upon the species. Figure 16.6 shows an example of a blue-tongue skink and proper nutrition provided. Herbivores should be fed a variety of dark leafy greens and vegetables. Insectivores will eat meal worms, crickets, and other insect species. Carnivorous lizard species should be fed whole prey consisting of the bones, contents of the GI tract, muscle, and fur. Lizards that fall into the omnivore family should be fed dark leafy greens and insects. It is important to remind reptile owners to not feed the same foods every day—reptiles prefer variety.
Aquatic turtles are omnivorous and will eat fish, algae, leafy greens, and so forth. There are commercial foods available for aquatic turtles, and they should be fed in moderation. Educate turtle owners to insure that these commercial foods contain essential nutrients for aquatic turtles. Any food items with animal proteins should not be fed to aquatic turtles.
Reptiles cannot generate their own body heat and must obtain heat from their environment
Reptiles move in and out of the shade or heat to help regulate their body temperature.
Each species of reptile has a temperature range required for their metabolism to function properly, known as the preferred optimum temperature zone (POTZ).
Reptile skin is covered by
a protective layer of keratinous scales. The outermost layer is shed regularly, but whether it is shed all at once or in pieces is dependent upon the type of reptile (i.e., snakes shed their skin all at once, whereas lizards shed their skin in pieces,
Reptiles do not have a diaphragm סערפת
separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities
Reptiles have one cavity
the coelom.
The majority of reptiles have a network of vessels known as the renal portal
system which distributes medications to the entire body if they are injected caudal to the kidneys.
This can be extremely detrimental to the kidneys if the medication is nephrotoxic.
excrement צואה of reptiles, similar to birds
is comprised of three components: 1) urine; 2) urates- חומצת שתן; 3) feces. The excrement exits the body through the cloaca.
Lighting is extremely important for reptiles.
Reptiles cannot metabolize nutrients or synthesize vitamin D properly without ultraviolet (UV) lighting.
A full-spectrum bulb specific for reptiles placed approximately two feet away from the reptile is ideal.
Full-spectrum bulbs should be changed at least every nine weeks, as over time these bulbs lose their UVB spectrum.
Due to the ectothermic nature of reptiles
a heated area for the reptile to bask is necessary.
The reptile will move among the heated and non-heated areas to regulate its own body temperature.
Be careful to educate owners regarding the heat intensity as certain heating elements sold for reptiles may cause thermal burns.
hermal burns are one of the more common injuries in reptiles presenting to the veterinary hospital.
Owners may provide poorly protected heat sources or old hot rocks which have been known to short-circuit and thus cause injury.
eterinary health-care teams should be aware that there appears to be a delayed or absent withdrawal response from excessive heat in reptiles and thus reptiles may develop severe burns when lying under heat lamps or on top of hot rocks.
Physical examination of reptiles is similar to that of companion small mammals.
It is a good practice to simply observe the reptile in its environment before removing and restraining the reptile. It is best to begin the examination at the head and move toward the tail. The eyes, ears, and oral cavity should be examined, followed by the coelomic cavity. The limbs, appendages, and tail should be palpated. Note any swelling or deformities and abnormalities as you move down the body. The heart rate and respiratory rate should be evaluated and recorded on the medical record.
Restraint
Most snakes, especially non-aggressive types, can be picked up in the transport carrier.
Most snakes, especially non-aggressive types, can be picked up in the transport carrier. For aggressive snakes, a towel may be tossed over the entire snake and its head found under the towel. Once the head is located and restrained, it is safe to remove the reptile from the carrier. It is best to gently grasp the snake behind the head with one hand and support the body with the other hand.
Aquatic turtles
lso known as chelonians, are considered easy to capture. Most chelonians are easily held by the shell, but there may be some aquatic turtles that display aggression.
Restraining chelonians involves controlling the turtle’s head. To gain control of the head, the health-care team member should put a thumb on one side of the cranial neck portion and the index finger (or fingers if a larger tortoise) on the other side of the neck at the base of the skull. If the chelonian withdraws its head, the restrainer’s fingers may become trapped, resulting in injuries to the restrainer. Particular caution should be paid to freshwater snapping turtles as they can inflict deep, painful bites.
Lizards
typically can be held with two hands and removed from the transport carrier.
However some lizards are aggressive or the species’ natural defenses make it unadvisable for a person to simply pick up the lizard. In this instance, long-sleeved shirts, gloves, and a towel may be necessary.
Frightened lizards may try to bite or scratch with their long claws.Frightened lizards may try to bite or scratch with their long claws.
It is recommended to keep one hand on the neck, immediately behind the base of the skull, to prevent being bitten. Do not try to capture a lizard by the tail. Many species have a natural response to “drop” their tail to escape, and this may happen if they view the restrainer as a predator.
This is known as autotomy; a self amputation by the lizard, typically to elude a predator. Restraint of lizards can be achieved with one hand around the neck and pectoral region and the other hand supporting the body near the pelvic region. Only enough pressure to keep the lizard restrained should be used. Too much pressure may damage the lizard’s spine.
